Every Jeep Wrangler is built to be upgraded. Whether it’s a 1998 TJ or a brand-new JL Rubicon, there’s always room to improve performance, durability, and capability. Below is a deeper dive into ten upgrades that make the biggest difference, along with ballpark pricing to help you budget smart.
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1. All-Terrain or Mud-Terrain Tires
Upgrading your Jeep’s tires is often the first and most noticeable improvement. Most Wranglers can clear 33″ tires with minimal lift, while 35″ tires require 2.5–3.5″ of lift, depending on the model.
- All-Terrain: Great for daily driving and light trails (e.g., BFG KO2, Falken Wildpeak AT3W)
- Mud-Terrain: More aggressive off-road performance, but louder and shorter tread life (e.g., BFG KM3, Nitto Trail Grappler, Cooper STT)
Estimated Cost (set of 5 mounted & balanced):
- 33″ A/T Tires: $1,000–$1,800
- 35″ M/T Tires: $1,300–$2,400
2. Winch and Mount
A winch is one of the most practical tools you can bolt to your Jeep. Even if you never use it, it’s peace of mind on the trail. Pair it with a steel front bumper with a winch mount and recovery points.
- Synthetic Line is lighter and safer than steel but costs more.
- Look for a 9,000–12,000 lb capacity, which covers all Wranglers.
- Budget winches have improved in quality and offer good performance and reliability. Doing some research goes a long way.
In our experience we’ve used our winch more pulling other than ourselves. A winch can serve many other purposes on a Jeep like pulling out a stump or a stubborn rock.
Estimated Cost:
- Winch (Smittybilt, Warn, Rough Country): $400–$1,200
- Steel Front Bumper with Winch Plate: $350–$800
- Wiring Kit/Snatch Block/Tree Saver (optional): $75–$150
3. LED Headlight Upgrade
Factory halogens are dim and yellow. Upgrading your Jeep to LED headlights provide clean white light, sharper cutoff, and greater night visibility.
- Plug-and-play units exist for TJ, JK, and JL models. Many JL models have factory LED lights.
- Make sure they’re DOT approved and include anti-flicker harnesses for JK/JL models.
Estimated Cost:
- Budget (eBay/Amazon): $75–$120
- Mid-Range (JW Speaker, Truck-Lite, KC): $200–$400 – We’ve installed a set of premium LED lights in the jeepfan.com 2004 TJ Unlimited
- Premium (JW EVO J3, KC Gravity Pro): $500+
4. Suspension Lift Kit
Lifting your Jeep is an upgrade that gives room for larger tires and improves clearance on rocks and ruts. There’s some logic with the thinking of avoiding “budget boosts” and go for a complete suspension kit that includes new spings, shocks, control arms, bump stops, and track bar brackets. But, a budget boost can be very effective and cost conscious, we’ve used several of them.
- TJ: Consider adding a SYE and CV shaft for 3”+ lifts.
- JK/JL: Look for kits with adjustable track bars and sway bar links.
Estimated Cost:
- Budget Spacer Kit: $150–$300
- Mid-Level Coil & Shock Kit: $500–$900
- Premium Long Arm Kits: $1,500–$3,000+
5. Skid Plate Armor
Protecting the underside is crucial, especially if you wheel in rocky terrain and you have a long wheelbase Jeep like a JK/JL Unlimited. Aftermarket skids offer better coverage and stronger materials than the thin factory versions.
- Start with engine, transmission, and transfer case skid plates.
- Fuel tank and steering box skids are also worth considering.
Estimated Cost:
- Individual Skid Plates: $150–$350 each
- Full Belly-Up Skid Kit: $500–$1,000
6. Rock Sliders or Frame-Mounted Steps
These protect your rocker panels and door sills from trail damage and provide a convenient step into a lifted Jeep. Tub mounted sliders offer the best clearance while frame mounted can offer stronger protection.
Estimated Cost:
- Budget Bolt-On Sliders: $250–$400
- Premium Weld-On or Hybrid Systems: $500–$800
The JK and JL both have good provision to mount sliders and steps to the body without drilling holes. This is a nice feature and allows flexibility. The TJ usually requires drilling into the body.
7. Steel Bumpers (Front & Rear)
Steel bumpers improve approach/departure angles, add recovery points, and provide better mounting for winches, jacks, and lights. This is a common first upgrade to a Jeep.
- Stubby bumpers increase front tire clearance.
- Rear bumpers with tire carriers are useful for 35″+ tires.
Estimated Cost:
- Front Bumper: $300–$700
- Rear Bumper with Carrier: $500–$900
8. Slip Yoke Eliminator Kit (TJ Only)
The NP231 in the non Rubicon Wrangler TJ is prone to driveline vibration after lifting. A Slip Yoke Eliminator (SYE) and CV driveshaft restore driveline angles and increase strength. This upgrade can be a bit more technical to a beginner but is well worth the install.
- Often bundled with the lift install to save time.
- Not needed on JK or JL (they use fixed yoke setups).
Estimated Cost:
- SYE Kit: $200–$300
- CV Driveshaft: $250–$450
- Install Labor (if outsourced): $300–$600
We installed a SYE kit from Teraflex into the jeepfan.com 2004 TJ Unlimited and haven’t looked back.
9. Axle Re-Gearing
Larger tires change your final drive ratio, killing power and shifting performance. Re-gearing restores torque and improves highway driveability.
- Common Ratios: 4.56 for 33s, 4.88 or 5.13 for 35s
- Requires professional installation with gear setup tools
Estimated Cost:
- Gear Set & Install Kit (front and rear): $500–$800
- Labor (front and rear axles): $1,000–$1,500
- Optional: Add lockers during install to save future labor
The JL Wrangler equipped with an automatic can get away 35-37″ tires with no gear upgrades if the Jeep was equipped with 4.10 differential gears. The 8 speed automatic has a nice gear ratio spread that is very forgiving.
When we upgraded the jeepfan.com 2004 TJ Unlimited to air lockers we took the opportunity to alter the gear ratio to match up to the increased tire size.
10. Onboard Air System
Airing down for the trail improves traction, but you’ll need air to get back on the road. A reliable onboard air system makes the process fast and simple.
- Portable systems (Viair) are great for casual users.
- Hard-mounted compressors (ARB) are better for frequent use and lockers.
- CO2 tanks (PowerTank) offer speed but need to be refilled.
Estimated Cost:
- Portable Compressor: $100–$300
- ARB Twin Compressor (mounted): $500–$800
- CO2 Tank System: $400–$600
Final Thoughts
Jeep upgrades are personal and depend on how you use your rig. This top ten list focuses on high-value modifications that improve function and durability, especially for Jeeps that see real trail time. You don’t have to do everything at once, but working through this list as your needs evolve will create a reliable, trail-ready vehicle that’s just as comfortable on the road as it is on the rocks.
Usually starting with the the things that matter most like lift kit, tires, bumpers and a winch will drastically your Jeep’s ability to conquer the trails.
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